M42 Orion Nebula with 12.5"

[John K]

Hi guys,

My first go at trying a HDR type image. Always a compromise in terms of noise, contrast and detail. Still impressed with what an 8 y.o DSLR can do!

A combination of 5, 30, 100 and 200 second exposures providing a total exposure of 211 minutes at ISO1600 with a modified Canon 400D and JMI NGT 12 12.5" f/5 telescope.

Taken on Dec 20, 2014 from the ASV's dark sky site near Heathcote, Victoria.

Comments welcomed.

Higher res here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkazanas/15890138097/in/photostream/


Clear skies and have a great Xmas.

John K.

[Slawomir]

Awesome image John, and beautiful colours.

Maybe perhaps you could try a slightly lesser noise reduction?

Either way, a great image!

[RickS]

Yes, it's a bit too smooth but very nice.

[multiweb]

Looks great John. :thumbsup: As mentioned it's too smoothed out by noise reduction. Bit plastic(ish). You probably have a lot more fine details than presented. Gorgeous colours and dynamic range well handled though.

[alpal]

It's over smoothed but nice.
I always leave some noise in my images -
but that is my personal taste.

cheers
Allan

[strongmanmike]

Nice colouring but I'm with the others John and the trap is inside a bit of an obvious hole...have another crack at it mate, I bet you will improve it :thumbsup:

Mike

[John K]

All very good and constructive comments gents.

Have had fun playing around with masks in CS3 this afternoon.

Here is another version which I think is more "natural" looking - obviously not as good as what appears on ISS, but considering my equipment ok I guess.

High res:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkazanas/16051590016/in/photostream/lightbox/


Only a matter of time during 2015 before I go to mono.

Clear skies and merry Xmas to all.

John K.

[strongmanmike]

Yes, overall probably an improvement there John



Well... a modified Canon 400D and JMI NGT 12 12.5" f/5 telescope are nuttin to sneeze at :shrug: :thumbsup:



Better cooling and finer image scale sure but having to do three colours and a Lum does have it's drawbacks to productivity of course :tasdevil:

Merry Christmas to you too John :thumbsup:...looks like I won't get anything else imaged here until at least well after Christmas then the bloody Moon is full again in the new year grrrrrr :sadeyes:

Mike

[gregbradley]

A very nice M42 there John.
3 1/2 hours is a good amount for a DSLR/M42 combo.

Greg.

[John K]

Thanks Greg,

I actually got my numbers wrong - the image was made up of a total of 2 hours and 11 minutes not 211 minutes.

In hindsight, I should have spent more time capturing more 200 second exposures to get a better noise/signal ratio of the outer region. You live and learn I guess!

[Placidus]

Hi, John,

You've managed to show some quite sharp features in the nebulosity. You've also controlled the brightness immediately around the Trapezium, so that the very small dark bubbles show. Nicely done.

Best, Mike